What did you think of this episode?

We often refer to writing as a lonely act of creativity. Today’s guest not only pokes holes in that theory, but he also offers foundational truths to inspire every writer to gain higher inspiration in the process. 

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn about … How to Connect With the Source of All Creativity as a writer.

My industry expert is… Bob Hostetler. Bob Hostetler (www.bobhostetler.com) is an award-winning author, literary agent, and international speaker from Ohio, who these days lives in southern Nevada. 

His more than fifty books, which include the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and the dual-timeline novel, The Bone Box, have sold millions of copies. 

As a literary agent with the Steve Laube Agency, Bob represents the work of fiction and nonfiction writers to Christian publishers.  

He has been a radio disc jockey, radio commentator, game writer, pastor and preacher, and (with his wife, the lovely Robin) a foster parent to eleven teenage boys (though not all at once). He and his wife love spending time with their daughter, son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and their five perfect grandchildren. 

Bob Hostetler, welcome back to Your Best Writing Life!

Alright, let’s head into our content for today… How to Connect With the Source of All Creativity as a writer.

This is an exciting day, Bob, as 100 Prayers for Writers is being released to the public. How did this book come about?  

1 - Give us your take on writing being a solitary art. 

2 - You say, when the writer consciously and purposefully partners with God in the creative process, something amazing happens.

3 – Today is the release of your latest book, 100 Prayers for Writers. Tell us what our writers can expect.

Bob’s book, 100 Prayers for Writers, is located on Amazon and at ShoptheWord.com, 100 Prayers for Writers – Creative Fuel for Inspired Work in both print and Kindle 100 Prayers for Writers Kindle.

Connect with Bob Hostetler

Comment on Bob's Episode post in our YBWL Facebook group through 4 PM CT on August 25, 2025, to be placed in a drawing for one of three signed books from Bob.

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are you prepared with the right questions to ask a potential book publisher? Today's encore episode is filled with tips to make publishing your book as smooth as possible.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During today's popular encore episode, we cover five questions every author needs to ask before signing a book contract.

Today's industry expert is Debra Butterfield. Debra is the author of ten books, which include Claiming Her Inheritance, Discovering Her Inheritance, Unshakable Faith, and Carried by Grace: A Guide for Mothers of Victims of Sexual Abuse. She is a freelance editor and editorial director for CrossRiver Media Group and a former copywriter for Focus on the Family.

Five Questions to Ask an Editor Before Signing a Contract

1. How does your faith influence your editing?
2. What genre do you specialize in?
3. What are your editing fees?
4. When can I expect a finished product?
5. How often will we communicate once I’m your client?

LINKS

 Editorial Freelancers Association

The Christian Pen

Free self-editing checklist for fiction or nonfiction via Debra's https://themotivationaleditor.com

Self-editing & Publishing Tips for the Indie Author

Website (for writers): https://www.themotivationaleditor.com/ 

Website (for readers): https://debralbutterfield.com/ 

Facebook (profile): https://www.facebook.com/debra.l.butterfield 

Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/DebraLButterfieldAuthor 

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Writing short-length Kindle books can maximize your impact, make you money, and increase your audience reach.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During today's popular encore episode, we cover the benefits for Christian writers in writing small Kindle books.

My industry expert is Shelley Hitz. Shelley has mentored writers since 2010. Her experience in writing 58 books and selling over half a million copies solidifies that she's our go-to gal for today. Shelley and her husband, CJ, are the hosts of the Kingdom Writers podcast, and together, they create a powerful team to help you accomplish your goals with their membership in Christian Book Academy. They have often been called “pastors for writers.”

You’ll find out:
Why do smaller books sell well? 
How is a shorter book a quick win for you as an author?
What length should your book be to maximize your impact? 
Where to start as you write a shorter book? 

Stick around until the end; we have a great giveaway. 

LINKS
Shelley Hitz

Join the Christian Book Academy
Publishing Map Download

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are you ready to build a following that thrives? Kathi Lipp is here to share tips for writers on how you can grow your fan base.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft.

My industry expert is Kathi Lipp. Kathi is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of 20 books, including The Accidental Homesteader, An Abundant Place: Daily Retreats for the Woman Who Can’t Get Away, Overwhelmed, and Clutter Free. As a writing and marketing coach, she is also the host of the Writing at the Red House Podcast. She runs both The Writing at the Red House Retreats and The Red House Writers Collective – a writing program that helps authors develop their writing, their platform, and their business. 

Kathi lives on her Red House mini homestead with her husband Roger, a dog, and eight chickens, where she holds cozy writer retreats for content creators.

• Many authors and content creators struggle with the idea of "niching down." Given your focus on specific topics like clutter and homesteading, what are your thoughts on the importance of finding a niche? 
• What role has social media played in growing your audience? Do you have any platform-specific strategies that have proven particularly effective? 
• How do you balance the fine line between providing valuable free content and promoting paid products like your books? 

LINKS
Kathi Lipp
Kathi's book - The Accidental Homesteader
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathiLipp
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kathilipp

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Are you taking advantage of YouTube? Listen in as Linda Goldfarb and Annette Reeder provide practical YouTube tips to help you expand your writing reach.

In this much-sought-after encore episode, Linda's industry expert is Annette Reeder, the Biblical Nutritionist. It was a summer evening on the lawn of a camp meeting that God called Annette into missions. Today, without getting on a plane or traveling through the bush, she is sharing the Gospel around the globe via YouTube – to over 125 countries and more than 20 million viewers, with over 480,000 subscribers.

During our episode, Annette and I discuss the following:

• Why writers should consider doing a YouTube channel.
• How to get started?
• Does it pay to be on YouTube?
• How do you do YouTube for fiction and non-fiction?
• How does YouTube grow my audience?

Check out: 

• These amazing freebies from Annette Reeder 
• Annette Reeder on YouTube
• More about Annette Reeder
• The Biblical Nutrition Academy

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Book trailers can boost your author platform. In this encore episode, Shannon Redmon and Linda Goldfarb discuss how writers can create book trailers. 

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this highly ranked encore episode, you’ll learn five tips to thrive as a writer.

Please welcome, Shannon Redmon. Shannon remembers the first grown-up book she checked out from the neighborhood bookmobile. A Victoria Holt novel with romance, intrigue, dashing gentlemen, and ballroom parties captivated her attention. For her mother, the silence must have been a pleasant break from non-stop teenage chatter, but for Shannon, those stories whipped up a desire and passion for writing.  She is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author, and her greatest hope is for her stories to immerse readers into a world of suspense and escape while encouraging faith, hope, and love in Christ.   She has six books published by Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line—Cave of Secrets, Secrets Left Behind, Mistaken Mountain Abduction, Christmas Murder Cover-up, Unraveling Killer Secrets, and Mountain Murder Threat.​​

Shannon is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. 

In this episode, you will learn the basics about Book Trailers 

• Types of Software to Use for Videos 
• What not to do 
• Where to find audio clips and licensing
• Where to find video clips and licensing
• Tips for writing scripts

LINKS
Shannon Redmon
Sign up for The Jail Cell  

Shannon's Giveaway - Book Trailers PDSF Download

Shannon Redmon on Facebook

Examples of Book Trailers https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLljAN23iRPFrZzAJxWcnD0FbWhZbQ3hLR

Shannon Redmon's Books
DaVinci Resolve 17

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Learn how using fiction for kingdom causes can improve your writing.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this highly ranked encore episode, you’ll learn how to incorporate biblical themes to enhance your writing.

My industry expert is Heather Norman Smith - Heather is the author of Christian Fiction set in her home state of North Carolina. Her goal is to entertain and encourage readers while illuminating the redemptive love of God. She lives just outside Winston-Salem, NC, with her husband, their four children, and several pets.

Today we discuss:

• What do you mean by “Kingdom causes”?
• In addition to the gospel, what are some Biblical themes Fiction writers utilize to build a story? Biblical references: James 1:27, Psalm 139:13-14, Hebrews 13:3, Proverbs 19:37
• How does focusing on spiritual themes help you as a writer?
• What advice do you have for a Fiction writer who gets stuck in their writing?
• How do you incorporate spiritual themes organically into a story?

LINKS
Heather Norman Smith
Timeout for Jesus Download
Songs for Sunday Book

If you enjoy Your Best Writing Life’s content- consider a monthly donation through Patreon. Support Your Best Writing Life podcast.

About your host - Linda Goldfarb
Besides hosting Your Best Writing Life, Linda Goldfarb is a multi-published, award-winning author, audiobook narrator, international speaker, board-certified Christian life coach, co-owner, and co-founder of the LINKED® Personality System and co-author of the LINKED® Quick Guide to Personality series. Linda also hosts the Staying REAL About Faith & Family podcast - Check it out!

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

First-time writers, learn from the best. Larry J. Leech II shares five tips to help writers be successful.

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this highly ranked encore episode, you’ll learn five tips to thrive as a writer.

Writing coach to award-winning authors, Larry J. Leech II, has spent over forty years writing and editing.

He began his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania, where he covered prep sports and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. In 2004, Larry transitioned to writing and editing, having published over 2,300 articles and conducted more than 13,000 interviews.

Since that time, he has ghostwritten 30 books, edited more than 400 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process.

For over a decade, Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences across the nation. You can find him online on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Larry shares with Linda:

• Common mistakes writers make when starting their careers
•  How to rectify mistakes before they ruin your writing
• Why each writer needs to get connected, be a sponge, be a rewriter, market, market, market, and think like a publisher.  

LINKS

• Contact Larry J. Leech II
• Larry's Terrible 30 - Words to eliminate
• Writer's Digest

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Today’s guest will help us recognize and benefit from genuine engagement. 

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I’m your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I’m so glad you’re listening in. During this episode, you’ll learn how to stop wasting your time "trying" to engage on social media, with the help of The Engagement Blueprint.

My industry expert is Teresa Janzen. Teresa empowers individuals to break free from their ruts and discover peace, purpose, and passion in their work, life, and relationships. She is an award-winning author, international speaker, certified emotional health coach, and editor-in-chief at Abundance Books.

Teresa, welcome to Your Best Writing Life!

How to Recognize and Utilize REAL Online Engagement

1. You teach that online engagement is more than just getting likes or shares.
   1. What does ‘real engagement’ look like?
2. What is the main reason it is so difficult to engage with people on social media?
3. You talk about shifting from a platform mindset to a community mindset.
   1. Why is that especially important for Christian communicators today?

Listener giveaway…The Engagement Blueprint download

Click here for the Christian Creative Community.

Click here for author resources and submission info.

https://www.Abundance-books.com

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?

Linda Goldfarb and Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith offer tips and strategies to help non-fiction writers build their platform.

Linda's industry expert, Dr. Saundra, is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and award-winning author. She is an international well-being thought-leader featured in numerous media outlets, including Prevention, MSNBC, Women’s Day, FOX, Fast Company, Psychology Today, INC, CNN Health, and TED.com. She is the author of numerous books, including her bestseller, Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, which offers insight into the seven types of rest needed to optimize productivity, increase overall happiness, overcome burnout, and live your best life. Over 250,000 people have discovered their rest deficits using her free assessment at RestQuiz.com. Dr. Saundra, it's great to have you back on Your Best Writing Life.

In this encore episode on growing a Non-fiction platform, Dr. Saundra and Linda discuss five ways you can build your platform with or without a published book.

 Are you concerned about coming across as overly salesy to your readers? No worries, they discuss how to effectively promote your book and the ideal platform size to aim for to achieve publishing success.

LINKS

• Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
• Take the Rest Quiz
• Get your copy of Sacred Rest
• Enjoy our content? Support Your Best Writing Life podcast
• Visit Your Best Writing Life website Your Best Writing Life Podcast
• Join fellow writers in our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
• Visit the website of our host, Linda Goldfarb

Visit Your Best Writing Life website.
Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing Life
Your host - Linda Goldfarb
#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024".

Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast
Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast